Healthy homemade fruit snacks with veggies inside.
If you pegged me for one of those moms that would make her kid homemade fruit snacks, then you hit the nail on the head.
If you knew that I would not only make fruit snacks, but I would also find a way to incorporate vegetables, well, then, you probably know me a little too well.
The beautiful truth is that Camille has never had a fruit snack...until someone gave her a pouch at her school Valentine's Day party. She liked them (of course), but I waited a significant amount of time before making these at home. I wanted her little brain to forget the store-bought sweetness.
These healthy homemade fruit snacks have the same texture as the store-bought version, but are made with pureed fruit, vegetables, honey, and grass-fed gelatin. I'm pretty sure none of those ingredients are in the store-bought version!
I use Vital Proteins grass-fed beef gelatin to make these healthy homemade fruit snacks. I'm a big fan of all of their products (I don't go a day without adding their collagen peptides to hot tea), and incorporating their grass-fed beef gelatin into my kitchen was easy.
As you know, both Camille and I struggle getting enough protein in our diets. Neither of us love meat, and so I'm always looking for easy ways to boost our protein intake.
Grass-fed gelatin fruit snacks are a perfect protein-rich dessert for her lunch box.
My recipe makes a 9" bread loaf pan worth of puree with 5 tablespoons of gelatin in it. In the photos, you see two flavors: carrot-mango fruit snacks and strawberry-beet fruit snacks.
Here's the real deal on this recipe: you need to taste the puree after blending. Does it taste sweet enough that your kid would eat it? If not, add more honey.
I can actually get away with 2 tablespoons of honey for Camille. If your kiddos have had store-bought fruit snacks, the level of sweetness won't be enough for them. Add extra honey, one tablespoon at a time, until they taste right to you.
One time, I tried making these with just 1 tablespoon of honey, and they tasted a bit...vegetal. I ended up rolling them in granulated sugar before serving them to Camille.
You really need a high-speed blender to get the fruit the perfect consistency. Puree the mixture for at least 5 minutes, no chunks here! If you're having trouble getting the mixture smooth, add another tablespoon of water.
Adding the gelatin can be a strange process if you're unfamiliar with working with gelatin. It took me at least one dozen batches of homemade marshmallows before I became comfortable working with gelatin.
After the fruit mixture is smooth, pour it into a wide-bottomed pan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the surface (it's hard to cram 5 tablespoons over the surface area, but do your best!). Let the gelatin sit for 5 minutes. The mixture will start to look wrinkled, like this:
Once it's wrinkled, it's time to whisk the mixture while turning the heat to medium. Continue to whisk the mixture, and the heat will melt the gelatin. At first, there will be clumps, but they will dissolve as the mixture heats. Don't let the mixture boil, but do cook it while whisking until it is smooth.
After pouring the mixture into a parchment paper lined loaf pan, let it set for a few hours. I usually leave mine overnight. The next day, I use little pie crust cutters to cut out cute shapes.
What do I do with the scraps? Cut them into smaller pieces with scissors and mix them in! Don't waste the scraps; I just didn't photograph them this way because we live in a Pinterest world.
I hope you and your little loves these healthy homemade fruit snacks with veggies!
Healthy homemade fruit snacks with hidden vegetables. *Please add more honey to taste! If your kids like store-bought fruit snacks, these won't be sweet enough for them. Add honey until it tastes right to you.Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks (with veggies!)
Ingredients
For the mango carrot fruit snacks:
For the strawberry-beet fruit snacks:
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
75
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 14Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g
Holly M says
What is the best to store these and for how long will they last? I look forward to making these!
Christina Lane says
Store in the fridge, Holly! Let me update the post to say that right now. Sorry :)
Holly says
Thanks!!
Heather Williams says
I've tried three different brands of gelatin and mine keep coming out liquid. I've tried the Knox gelatin and two different brands of grass fed beef gelatin. Super frustrating since it's the easiest recipe. What am I doing wrong? Is there a specific temperature it has to reach?
Christina Lane says
Oh no! I'm so sorry :( How frustrating!
So, gelatin needs to first dissolve in cool water fully and then come up to a boil for proper thickening. I wonder if you're taking them off the stove after just a gentle simmer? Not a full boil? It sounds like you're doing everything else right, though!
Valerie says
Any chance we can transfer the mixture into the silicon molds and allow them to sit overnight? The silicone molds i have are food grade.
Christina Lane says
Yes, of course! I do that all the time :)
Noelia says
These were great! My kids loved them and I did too, frankly. I used 3 tbsp honey and it was perfect. I made them with mango and strawberry and used silicone mini muffin molds, then cut into little pie pieces. Thank you!
Christina Lane says
Oh that is BRILLIANT to use mini muffin molds and then chop them up!
Susanna says
OMG! I love this idea!!! They look so good!! not just for kids!
Adeline H says
This is so amazing!! I mean the idea is so unique and I'm out of words! My kids are going to love it!!
Emily says
Can't wait to try this. I only give my little one the organic ones, but even those I'm sure are loaded with sugar. Fingers crossed she likes these!
Anna says
OMG this is AMAZING. I may have to make these even though my daughter cannot chew yet... For me, of course!!!
Martha says
Could the mixture be poured into a gummy beat mold instead of the pans? Thanks!
Christina Lane says
Yes! How fun and cute :)
Teja says
Is there any vegan substitute for the beef gelatin?
Christina Lane says
Agar agar, I believe, but I haven't tested it :)
Maya says
They make similar in India but with no gelatin. It’s cooked with sugar or jaggery and of course spices and then spread out on a flat surface and left to dry for 1-2 days.
Amanda Sammet says
Made these and love them!
Mary Jaeger says
These sound amazing! I have your fruit leather recipe that I haven't made yet but these sound good too! I like the fruit snacks from the store but, you're right, they're too sweet! I do have one question. Can I use Knox gelatin instead of the Vital Proteins beef gelatin?
Sara says
I would love to know this as well!
Christina Lane says
Yes, you can use any type of powdered gelatin :)
Christina Lane says
Oh yes, any type of gelatin will work here :)